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RC-3: Loop Station

Three Hours of Stereo Recording in a Stompbox

Features

The RC-3 is powerfully equipped yet conveniently housed in a compact pedal. Enjoy up to three hours of stereo recording time, storage for 99 loops, a “real drums” rhythm guide, and USB 2.0 compatibility all in a small BOSS stompbox.

  • Compact and powerful stereo stompbox looper
  • Massive internal memory with up to three hours of stereo recording time
  • 99 onboard memories for storing loops
  • USB 2.0 port allows you to connect to a PC and import/export WAV audio
  • Rhythm guide with real drums
  • Runs on a single 9-volt battery or optional AC power supply
  • BOSS five-year warranty

Three Hours of Stereo Recording in a Stompbox

More Info

Marathon Looping

The RC-3 provides three hours of stereo recording capacity direct to internal memory. Now you can record long phrases without worrying about memory. 99 memory locations let you save as many phrases or ideas as you can create. Guitarists who want to incorporate external stereo effects devices will appreciate the true stereo I/O on the RC-3.

Auto Record

The Auto Recording feature starts recording the moment you begin playing your guitar, or as soon as you start a connected audio player. Count-In mode gives you one-bar of rhythm before recording starts. You can Undo/Redo as you go. The sky’s the limit with three hours of recording time!

Rhythm Guide

To keep your loops tight and in time, you can play along with one of the basic rhythm patterns in the RC-3’s onboard library as you record. Ten types of rhythm types are provided, including Rock, Pop, Funk, Shuffle, R&B, and Latin. A dedicated knob lets you adjust the volume of the rhythm, and you can set the tempo via tap tempo. You can also specify the time signature. When you save a phrase, the rhythm type and time signature will also be saved.

USB Connectivity

You can connect the RC-3 to your computer via a standard USB cable, and back up your RC-3 recordings to your computer for safekeeping. You can also load WAV files from your computer directly into the RC-3. The RC-3 accepts 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV files of up to 1.7GB in size.

AUX Input

In addition to recording your guitar or bass performances and turning them into playable loops, you can also record other external stereo audio sources via the RC-3’s AUX IN. Sound from a digital-audio player connected to the AUX input, for example, can easily be recorded and made into a loop.

Three Hours of Stereo Recording in a Stompbox

Specs

Nominal Input Level
INPUT: -20 dBu
AUX IN: -10 dBu
Input Impedance
INPUT: 1 M ohm
AUX IN: 22 k ohms
Nominal Output Level
-20 dBu
Output Impedance
1 k ohm
Recommended Load Impedance
10 k ohms or greater
Recording/Playback
Maximum Recording Time: Approximately 3 hours
Maximum Phrase Memory: 99 phrases
Number of tracks: 1
Data Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear, stereo)
Rhythm Type
Hi-Hat, Kick & Hi-Hat, Rock 1, Rock 2, Pop, Funk, Shuffle, R & B, Latin, Percussion
USB Interface
Hi-Speed USB mass storage device class
Controls
Pedal switch
LOOP OUTPUT knob
RHYTHM OUTPUT knob
DOWN button
UP button
WRITE button
RHYTHM ON/OFF button
TAP TEMPO button
Indicators
REC, PLAY (DUB) indicator
Display
7 segments, 2 characters (LED)
Connectors
INPUT A Jack: 1/4" phone type
INPUT B Jack: 1/4" phone type
AUX IN Jack: Stereo miniature phone type
OUTPUT A Jack: 1/4" phone type
OUTPUT B Jack: 1/4" phone type
STOP/MEMORY SHIFT Jack: 1/4" TRS phone type
USB Connector
DC IN Jack (DC 9 V)
Power Supply
DC 9 V: Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC Adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)
* Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries cannot be used.
Current Draw
70 mA (DC 9 V)
Expected battery life under continuous use
Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61): Approx. 3 hours
These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.
Included Accessories
Owner's Manual
Leaflet ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY," "IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information")
Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61): already installed in unit
Options (sold separately)
AC Adaptor (PSA series)
Footswitch (FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7)
Size and Weight
Width
73 mm
2-7/8 inches
Depth
129 mm
5-1/8 inches
Height
59 mm
2-3/8 inches
Weight
450 g
1 lbs.
In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

Accessories

FS-6

Dual Footswitch

FS-6

Two switches in one, BOSS’s FS-6 combines latch- and momentary-type switching into one unit.

Click for Details

FS-7

Dual Footswitch

FS-7

Compact, multifunctional dual footswitch for remote control of effect pedals or amp channel switching.

Click for Details

PCS-20A

Parallel DC Cord

PCS-20A

Daisy-chain cable for powering multiple BOSS compact pedals from a single pedal.

Click for Details

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland, BOSS or Cakewalk product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.

You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.

In addition, we have a library of Support Documents that you can download and reference. If Support Documents are available for this product, they will be listed below.

Support Documents

RC-30/RC-3 Brochure
BOSS Product Catalog 2014
BOSS Product Catalog 2012
BOSS Product Catalog 2011

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Phone

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